Law in Australia and Law Degrees at La Trobe
University School of Law, Melbourne,
Australia.
School of Law
Professor Dr. Gordon R Walker, SJD (Duke)
La Trobe University School of Law
A Presentation for German Law Students, May 2010.
Key Messages for German Law Students who have done FFA or equivalent
> If you are a German law student who has done FFA or equivalent, La Trobe
Law will grant you two units advanced standing in our LLM program.
> This has the effect of lowering LLM tuition fees by 25 per cent.
> Tuition fees for the LLM at La Trobe Law in 2010 are AUD21,230.
> With a 25 per cent reduction, the fee is AUD15, 922.50.
> This is the most competitive tuition fee for an LLM degree in Australia and
New Zealand. There is no better price.
> If you enrol for our LLM in Global Business Law, you can reduce the time
required to complete an LLM degree in Australia.
Admission requirements to the LLM at La Trobe University Law School
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Strong academic record
Typically 6.5 in First or Second State Exam
In individual cases: above-average marks in area of specialisation (SPB).
Language: IELTS, TOEFL, FFA or equivalent
LLaMa test offered for no cost by Professor Thomas Lundmark at Muenster
University School of Law.
Admission Requirements (continued)
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Ordinarily, IELTS required score is 6.5 with no individual band under 6.0.
We waive IELTS if you have FFA or equivalent.
We will look at your grades in your area of specialisation (SPB).
If you are unsure about your English language ability, contact Professor
Thomas Lundmark at Muenster University Law School on llm@unimunster.de
> Professor Lundmark will assess you and write a letter of recommendation
for you (Gutachten).
> We only have a small number of German LLM students.
Why is it useful (and a good career move) for a German law student or
practitioner to undertake further law studies in Australia?
> Globalisation of the market for legal services. In the 21st century the market for
legal services is global. A German lawyer who wishes to optimise his or her career
path needs training in non-German law. Specifically, he or she needs training in a
“common law” system like Australia.
> We can divide the world into “civil law” or “common law” systems. Germany has a
civil law system. Australia (like the USA and the UK) has a “common law” system”.
> At La Trobe Law, we train lawyers from civil law systems like Germany and France
in the common law.
Why Study Law in Australia?
> 1. You will learn about the “common law”
– Australia is a “common law” country - a country where judge-made case law
plays a foundational role in the legal system.
– Australia was originally a colony of the United Kingdom. It received and then
adapted English common law and statute law.
– If you have a training in Australian law, you will understand the basic features
of a common law system and obtain a good background in the “AngloAmerican” legal tradition which operates in many countries around the world.
Why Study Law in Australia?
> 2. You will learn how a federal legal system works
– Australia has a federal system. In 1901, Australia adopted a United States
model of federalism, with a single central government and various regional
state governments.
– Many countries around the world have a federal system, such Canada,
Germany, Mexico, India and others, as well as the United States.
– Federal systems are often legally complex. If you have a training in Australian
law, you will learn how a federal system works, which will give you a advantage
on the global stage.
Why Study Law in Australia?
> 3. You will study in English
– English is the global language, and any graduate who has fluency and practice
in using English in advanced academic and professional contexts will have a
distinct advantage.
> 4. You will be taught by friendly, experienced law teachers from many
different countries
– La Trobe Law teachers come from many countries (such United States,
Germany, China, New Zealand, Hong Kong, etc.) as well as Australia. They
have broad experience in teaching students from a diverse range of cultural
backgrounds, and are approachable and student-friendly.
Law Programs at La Trobe Law, Melbourne, Australia
> Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree (4 years) and double Bachelor degrees (5 years)
> Graduate Entry LLB (3 years)
> Various masters programs such as Master of Commercial Law (MCL) and Master
of Global Business Law (MGBL). These degrees are open to non-lawyers who
hold a first degree in any subject.
> Doctoral programs also available – SJD and PhD.
> However, 2 Masters programs specially developed for foreign lawyers (law
graduates and practitioners): Master of Laws International (LLM) and the Master
in Global Business Law (GBL). These degrees are featured on the double-sided
flyer distributed to you.
German law students
> Traditionally, German law students do their first degree and/or First State
Exam in Germany.
> It is possible for a German student to come to Australia and do an LLB in
Australia. They might come direct from secondary school or they might
come after doing a first degree in Germany (LLB graduate entry).
> German students usually come to Australia for specialized post-graduate
education, including law (e.g., LLM degree).
Why do German law graduates and practitioners do LLM degrees outside of
Germany?
> Enhance employment prospects in Germany
> Germany is a “civil law” country. The UK, the USA and Australia are
“common law” countries. German law graduates enhance their career
prospects if they have studied in a common law country because they are
better able to undertake legal work involving common law jurisdictions.
> Example: Florian Schwarz works for Freshfields (a leading UK and
international law firm) in Frankfurt. He did his First State Exam in Germany.
He then completed an LLM at La Trobe. He was hired by White & Case in
London, then Freshfields in Frankfurt.
Which German law graduates and practitioners do LLM degrees outside of
Germany?
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New Graduates seeking advanced qualifications in Law before entering
workforce.
> Practitioners. Example: German lawyers with 2-3 years experience. They
want to do a nine month LLM program in a common law country.
> They:
1. are price sensitive;
2. want to study business law subjects with a cross-border dimension;
3. would prefer a “German friendly” destination.
LLM (International) and LLM in Global Business Law
>Master of Laws (for International Students) (LLM)
>Designed for foreign law graduates. IELTS 6.5
>Two 13 week semesters (9 month academic year). 120
credit points to complete.
>Highly flexible – student can choose from LLB units
and the LLM in GBL units
>Master of Laws in Global Business Law (LLM)
>Professional Development, Career Enhancement.
IELTS 6.5
>120 credit points to complete (eight units at 15 credit
points per unit).
>Tuition fee 2010: AUD21, 230
>Five day intensive classes (each 15 credit points) with
take home assignments to be completed in four weeks.
Start dates highly flexible. Can be completed in 6
months.
>If advanced standing for two units granted, then
tuition is AUD15, 922.50
>Classes are taught by international experts from law
schools such as UCLA School of Law.
Tuition fee 2010: AUD21, 230
The LLM in Global Business Law: Features and Units
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La Trobe Law LLM programs are listed on www.llm-guide.com.
Strong appeal to German law students and legal practitioners.
Upcoming units in 2010 described at www.latrobe.edu.au/law/gbl
Classes taught in 5 day intensive format. Exam is “take home”.
Upcoming units listed in next few slides.
LLM in Global Business Law – Units offered in June-July 2010
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Introduction to Australian Law (June 9-16)
USA IP Law (June 17-23)
USA Corporations Law (June 24-30)
Introduction to American Law (July 1-7)
USA Commercial Law (July 8-14)
USA Consumer Law (July 15-21)
Chinese Foreign trade and Investment Law (July 22-28).
LLM in Global Business Law – Units offered in November-December 2010
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International Commercial Arbitration (November 22-26)
USA Corporations Law (December 1-7)
USA Antitrust Law (December 9-15)
Comparative Constitutional Design (December 16-22)
LLM in Global Business Law – Units offered January-March 2011
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Comparative Insolvency Law
Chinese Business Law & Practice
Australian Tax Law
International Tax Law
Comparative Legal Traditions
EU IP Law
Introduction to Australian Law
Advising German Students about LLM programs
> If the German student wants to take some Bachelor of Laws (LLB) units in their
LLM degree, then they should enrol in the Master of Laws International (LLM).
This degree takes 9 months to complete (usually late February to November)
because LLB units are taught in two 13 week semesters. Students enrolled in this
degree can also take Global Business Law units.
> If the German student is only interested in Global Business Law units, then they
should enrol in the LLM in Global Business Law. The majority of our German law
students take this option because they can finish the degree in a shorter period of
time.
Advanced Standing: Impact on Tuition fees and Living Costs
> Each degree requires 120 credit points
> If the student can be granted advanced standing or credit for one or more
units, this will have the effect of REDUCING THE TUITION FEE and
REDUCING THE TIME REQUIRED TO FINISH THE DEGREE.
> Example: advanced standing for 2 units has the effect of reducing the tuition
fee by 25 per cent.
Advanced Standing: Impact on Tuition fees and Living Costs
> On what basis is advanced standing granted? Student has completed
some form of additional training. Student seeks advanced standing in their
application. Applications are considered on a case by case basis.
> Impact on living costs: If the student has been granted 2 units advanced
standing, tuition is lowered by 25% and the length of time required in
Australia can be less.
> All German law students who have done FFA or equivalent receive 2 units
advanced standing.
Doctoral Programs in Law
>Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD)
>Doctor of Philosophy – PhD (Business, Law)
>Doctor of Juridical Science is a research doctorate
with a coursework prerequisite that facilitates a
higher degree of research opportunity for those
holding a Master of Laws by coursework.
>Thesis only. The PhD program enables candidates
to engage in independent research that should
make an original contribution to knowledge.
Research may be undertaken in any discipline
within the Faculty.
>Duration: Minimum 2 years full-time
>Duration: Minimum 3 years full-time
>Tuition fees: TBA
>Tuition fees: TBA
>Entry Requirements: English Proficiency (IELTS
6.5), Master of Laws (Coursework)
>Entry Requirements: English Proficiency (IELTS
6.5), Master of Laws (Research) or Bachelor
Honours degree
Contacts and Application
> For further enquiries, contact Gordon.Walker@latrobe.edu.au
> Applications to:
La Trobe International
La Trobe University
Victoria 3086
AUSTRALIA
Tel: +61 3 9479 1199
Fax: +61 3 9479 3660
Email: intapplication@latrobe.edu.au
> CRICOS Provider number: 00115M